U.S. patent application number 11/361544 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-30 for product and method for dispensing and packaging items having complementary components.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fort James Corporation. Invention is credited to Lynn Collins, Prateek Lal, Lynda L. Rutledge.
Application Number | 20070199852 11/361544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38433832 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070199852 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rutledge; Lynda L. ; et
al. |
August 30, 2007 |
Product and method for dispensing and packaging items having
complementary components
Abstract
The invention relates to a product and method for dispensing and
packaging items comprising at least two nestable complementary
components. The complementary components are provided in stacks
where each stack comprises a nested portion of each of the
complementary components. One stack will have one complementary
component located on the top end of the stack and the other
complementary component will be present on the bottom end of that
stack. As presented for use in a carton, each stack will have a
different complementary component on the respective top end of the
stack. A user will select a complementary component from each stack
to provide a completed item for use. The invention is particularly
suited for lidded cups or containers where the cups or containers
and lids are packaged together for complementary use.
Inventors: |
Rutledge; Lynda L.;
(Richmond, IN) ; Lal; Prateek; (Clinton, NJ)
; Collins; Lynn; (Atlanta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PATENT GROUP GA030-43;GEORGIA-PACIFIC LLC
133 PEACHTREE STREET, N.E.
ATLANTA
GA
30303-1847
US
|
Assignee: |
Fort James Corporation
Atlanta
GA
|
Family ID: |
38433832 |
Appl. No.: |
11/361544 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/508 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 85/62 20130101;
B65D 77/003 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/508 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/00 20060101
B65D021/00; B65D 85/62 20060101 B65D085/62 |
Claims
1) A combination dispenser and product package comprising: a) a
carton having a top end and a bottom end; b) a first stack
comprising: i) a top end and a bottom end; ii) a first nested
plurality of a first component oriented toward the top end of this
first stack; iii) a first nested plurality of a second component
oriented toward the bottom end of this first stack; c) a second
stack comprising: i) a second nested plurality of the first
component oriented toward the bottom end of this second stack; ii)
a second nested plurality of the second component oriented toward
the top end of this second stack; wherein i) the first and second
stacks are situated in the carton with their respective top ends
oriented toward the top end of the carton; ii) the first
pluralities are equal in number of components; iii) the second
pluralities are equal in number of components; and the first and
second components are complementary to each other.
2) The product of claim 1, wherein the system further comprises a
wrapping material enclosing the carton and stacks.
3) The product of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a
cup and the second component comprises a lid sized to fit the
cup.
4) The product of claim 1, wherein the first component comprises a
food container and the second component comprises a container lid
sized to fit the container.
5) The product of claim 1, wherein the nested pluralities each
comprise from about 5 to about 20 each of the first and second
components.
6) The product of claim 1, wherein the carton comprises a side
wall, an opposing side wall, a front wall, a back wall, a bottom
wall, and a perforated section.
7) The product of claim 6, wherein the perforated section is
removable, thereby increasing the ability of the user to select a
component situated in a lower portion of the stack.
8) The product of claim 6, wherein the perforated section is
disposed on both sides of a corner between the side wall and the
front wall of the carton.
9) The product of claim 6, wherein the top of the side wall extends
diagonally upward from the top of the front wall to the top of the
back wall, the front wall having a height of 30% to 60% of the
height of the back wall with perforated section being located on
the corner between the diagonal side wall and front wall, wherein
the stacks are situated within the carton such that a portion of
each stack is exposed corresponding to the top of the diagonal side
wall.
10) A method of dispensing a product comprising at least two
complementary components comprising: a) providing a combination
comprising; i) a carton having a top end and a bottom end; ii) a
first stack comprising: (1) a top end and a bottom end; (2) a first
nested plurality of a first component oriented toward the top end
of this first stack; (3) a first nested plurality of a second
component oriented toward the bottom end of this first stack; iii)
a second stack comprising: (1) a second nested plurality of the
first component oriented toward the bottom end of this second
stack; (2) a second nested plurality of the second component
oriented toward the top end of this second stack; wherein (1) the
first and second stacks are situated in the carton with their
respective top ends oriented toward the top end of the carton; (2)
the first pluralities are equal in number of components; (3) the
second pluralities are equal in number of components; and (3) the
first and second components are complementary to each other, and b)
selecting a component from each of the first and the second
stacks.
11) The method of claim 10, wherein the combination comprises a
wrapping material enclosing the stacks within the carton prior to a
first selecting step, and wherein the wrapping material is removed
from the combination prior to the first selecting step.
12) The method of claim 10, wherein the first component comprises a
cup and the second component comprises a lid sized to fit the
container.
13) The method of claim 10, wherein the first component comprises a
food container and the second component comprises a container lid
sized to fit the container.
14) The method of claim 10, wherein the nested plurality each
comprise from about 5 to about 20 each of the first and second
components.
15) The method of claim 10, wherein the carton comprises a side
wall, an opposing side wall, a front wall, a back wall, a bottom
wall, and a perforated section.
16) The method of claim 15, wherein the perforated section is
removable, thereby increasing the ability of the user to select a
component situated in a lower portion of the stack.
17) The method of claim 15, wherein the perforated section is
disposed on both sides of a corner between the side wall and the
front wall of the carton.
18) The method of claim 15, wherein the top of the side wall
extends diagonally upward from the top of the front wall to the top
of the back wall, the front wall having a height of 30% to 60% of
the height of the back wall with perforated section being located
on the corner between the diagonal side wall and front wall,
wherein the stacks are situated within the carton such that a
portion of each stack is exposed corresponding to the top of the
diagonal side wall.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to a product and
method for dispensing and packaging items having two complementary
components, that is, two components that are intended to be used
together. The invention is particularly useful for lidded cups or
containers, however, the invention can be applied to other products
having complementary components intended for simultaneous use.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A number of products include two components intended for use
together. One such example is a lidded cup for use in a carry out
situation. That is, when intended for use "on the go," a cup will
be provided with a correctly-sized lid for simultaneous use. One
such example is a "hot cup" for use in carrying and serving hot
beverages like coffee or tea. As would be recognized, such cups are
provided with a lid so that the contents do not spill in transport
or use.
[0003] In typical use, hot cups and lids have traditionally been
sold for use in food service establishments, such as coffee shops
or take out restaurants. A person buying a hot drink often takes
the drink into a car or drinks it "on the go." In the past, a
person generally purchased hot drinks for portable use in a food
service establishment. However, because of time or cost, a person
might wish to take a hot beverage from home for consumption in a
car during a morning commute or in another "on the go"
situation.
[0004] For this reason, re-usable commuter hot cups have
experienced widespread use. As would be readily recognized by
users, re-usable hot cups can be cumbersome to store after use,
thus causing clutter in a car or in a purse or bag. Also, they are
also inconvenient to clean regularly, somewhat expensive, and can
be easily lost. In view of these difficulties, commuters have begun
using "one time use"/disposable hot cups and lids that have been
previously sold only for use in food service establishments.
[0005] One such product is PerfecTouch.TM. Grab'N GO.RTM. which
comprises a PerfecTouch brand insulated hot cup and its associated
lid. PerfecTouch insulated hot cups are described in detail in a
number of U.S. Patents such as the following (the disclosures of
which are incorporated herein in their entireties by this
reference): U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,576,709 and 4,435,344. This hot cup
and its complementary lid have garnered widespread use in the
foodservice market and has recently began to be sold for
non-foodservice use.
[0006] This cup and lid is packaged for home use (or other
non-foodservice establishment use such as an office lunch room) in
a transparent plastic bag. In its current package, the PerfecTouch
cups are located at one end of the package and the lids at the
opposite end of the same package. To retrieve a cup and a lid for
simultaneous use, all cups and lids must be taken out of the
packaging for storage or both ends of the package must be opened.
Since the cups and lids are complementary (that is, if a lid is
lost, the cup is wasted and vice versa), care must be taken to
ensure that the cups and lids are not separated or lost. The
current method of dispensing these complementary cups and lids is
not optimal and a method to improve the dispensing of this product
for use in non-foodservice establishments would be desirable.
[0007] Additionally, the cup and lid package sold for
non-foodservice use currently is long and thin and can also be
difficult to display attractively on a store shelf. The package
dimensions generally dictate that the package must be displayed on
the top store shelf, which is not optimal for increasing sales in a
retail setting. There is thus a need for a system that would
improve visibility of a package of complementary cups and lids in a
retail environment.
[0008] Other forms of products intended for use as a unit
comprising at least two components also can be difficult to
dispense and display in an efficient and attractive manner.
[0009] In other words, there is a need in the industry to provide a
product that improves the dispensing and packaging of items having
complementary components, such as lids and cups for home or office
use or lidded containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention relates generally to a product and method for
dispensing and packaging items comprising at least two
complementary components. Each complementary component is nestable
onto a like component. The complementary components are provided in
stacks where each stack comprises a nested portion of each of the
complementary components. One stack will have one complementary
component located on the top end of the stack and the other
complementary component will be present on the bottom end of that
stack. Generally, two stacks will be provided in a carton and
generally wrapped with a transparent material to seal the cups and
lids within the carton until use by the consumer. As presented for
use in a carton, each stack will have a different complementary
component on the respective top end of the stack. A user will
select a complementary component from each stack to provide a
completed item for use. The invention is particularly suited for
lidded cups or containers where the cups or containers and lids or
closures are packaged together for complementary use. The present
invention is compact and provides for improved dispensing and
packaging of items intended to be used together.
[0011] Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the
present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in
the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed
description. It is intended that all such additional systems,
methods, features, and advantages be included within this
description, be within the scope of the present invention, and be
protected by the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Certain aspects of the invention can be better understood
with reference to the following drawings. The components in the
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being
placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present
invention. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals
designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a form of a packaged product
having a carton that packages, stores, and dispenses at least two
complementary components of a product.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top view of a form of a blank of the carton
shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another form of a blank of
the carton shown in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another form of a packaged
product each having a carton that packages, stores, and dispenses
at least two complementary components of the product.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of a form of a blank of the carton
shown in FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of a packaged
product each having a carton that packages, stores, and dispenses
at least two complementary components of the product.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a top view of a form of a blank of the carton
shown in FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a top view of a form of a blank of a carton for
packaging, storing, and dispensing the cups and lids when erected
into a carton.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a top view of a form of a blank of a carton for
packaging, storing, and dispensing the cups and lids when erected
into a carton.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0022] In this specification and in the claims that follow,
reference will be made to a number of terms, which shall be defined
to have the following meanings.
[0023] The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural
referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0024] Ranges may be expressed herein as from "about" one
particular value and/or to "about" or another particular value.
When such a range is expressed, another aspect includes from the
one particular value and/or to the other particular value.
Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of
the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular
value forms another aspect.
[0025] "Complementary" means that a first component is intended for
use with a second component, wherein the first and second
components cooperate to provide a useable item. For example, where
the first component is a cup and the second component is a lid, the
cup and lid will be sized for use together and are, as such,
"complementary components." In accordance with one form of the
present invention, complementary components will be packaged for
use with an equal number of first and second components included in
the package such that first and second complementary components
will be exhausted at the same time.
[0026] The present invention comprises a product that allows the
dispensing and packaging of items that comprise at least two
complementary components intended for simultaneous use. The
invention further provides a method of using this product.
[0027] In one form, the complementary components comprise a cup and
lid, where the lid is sized to fit the cup. One example is a
disposable insulated hot cup and its associated lid sold as
PerfecTouch (Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Dixie.RTM. Business,
Atlanta, Ga.). Other types of hot cups and lids can also be used in
the dispensing and packaging system of the present invention. One
example, is sold as KX2.RTM. (International Paper, Stamford,
Conn.). Still other forms of hot cups and lids can be used with the
packaging system of the present invention, as long as the cups and
lids are intended for single serving use, non-permanent use or, in
other words, are disposable.
[0028] Still further, the packaging system is used with any product
having at least two complementary components wherein the first and
second components are nestable on a like component. "Nestable"
means that like items are stackable on a like component so as to
reduce the space needed to package the complementary items.
[0029] When the invention comprises a cup and lid combination, the
nestable lids can be made from a polymeric material, such as
polystyrene or other thermoplastic material. However, the substance
used to prepare the lids is not critical to the invention. Such
lids are well known and are described in detail in, for example,
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,624,053 and 6,948,633, the disclosures of which
are incorporated herein in their entireties by this reference.
[0030] The invention herein is also believed to be suitable in
dispensing and packaging other products having two nestable
complementary components.
[0031] One such product is a disposable "sippy cup," such as the
product sold as Take and Toss.RTM. (RC2 Brands, Stoughton, Mass.).
This product is a valve-less lidded child's cup that is intended
for disposable use. As currently packaged, nested lids are stacked
on top of nested cups to form a single stack. When the package is
opened for use of a single cup and lid, the remaining cups and lids
must be stored and can become separated. With use of the product
and method of the present invention, the cups and lids can remain
secure and tidy prior to use.
[0032] Another suitable product for use with the packaging system
of the present invention is a disposable lidded container system
where a bottom portion is matched with a complementary lid. One
such product is sold as "Adaptables.RTM." by Georgia-Pacific
Corporation, Dixie.RTM. Business. A further example of a disposable
container-lid system is sold as Gladware.RTM. (Clorox, Oakland,
Calif.). Other forms of disposable containers and lids are also
suitable for use with the present invention.
[0033] In one form, the package comprises two stacks wherein each
stack comprises a first and a second complementary component in the
same stack, where the stacks are incorporated within a carton
structure. Each stack comprises a portion of the first
complementary component and the second complementary component,
with each component being nested onto a like component.
[0034] On one stack, a nested portion of the first complementary
component will be presented for use on the top portion of the
stack. A nested portion of the second complementary component will
be located below the nested portion of the first complementary
component. This lower nested portion will be available for use when
the upper nested portion is exhausted. In the second stack, the
second complementary component will be presented for use in the on
the top portion of this stack. On the lower portion of this stack,
a portion of the first complementary component will be located and
available for use along with the complementary portion on the lower
portion of the other stack.
[0035] In use, a consumer will select a first complementary
component and a second complementary component from the top of each
stack to provide the complete product e.g., cup and lid together.
This selection will continue until the first and second
complementary portions are exhausted from the respective stacks
whereby the placement of the complementary components will be
reversed in each stack. That is, on the first stack, the second
complementary component will now be available for selection and the
second stack the first complementary component will now be
available for selection. The user will select a component from each
stack until each stack is exhausted.
[0036] The total number of components in the respective stacks and
in the final package is not critical as long as the number of
components is evenly matched in the respective stacks. In
particular, each stack will comprise an equal number of first and
second complementary components in each respective portion of the
stack. For example, if the first stack has a nested portion of the
first complementary components on the top of that stack, the second
stack will have an equal number of the nested portion of the second
complementary components on the top thereof. Similarly, below the
top portion of the first stack, there will be a nested portion of
the second complementary component that is matched by a
corresponding number of the first complementary components on the
second stack.
[0037] The carton in which the stacks are presented is generally a
paperboard container prepared from a blank. Certain forms of this
carton are described in the Figures discussed later herein.
Generally, the carton should be suitable for printing graphics
thereon. Still further, the carton can be made of a polymeric
material, such as being thermoformed or injection molded
plastic.
[0038] In a significant form, the carton is configured to enhance
the visibility and accessability of the stacks with the carton. For
example, the carton can be cut so that the sidewalls are graduated.
This graduation has been found to improve the visibility of the
product within the package and can enhance the attractiveness of
the package to the consumer. Further, the graduation can improve
the accessability of the first and second complementary components
in the package.
[0039] Still further, the carton can be perforated in one or more
locations to assist the user in removing the components therefrom.
When the components become depleted in use, the inclusion of
perforations has been found to improve the accessibility of the
components. For example, when only a few lids remain for use, it
can be easier for a consumer to reach into the package to remove
the lids if there is a lower sidewall present. Such lower sidewall
can be provided by removal of the perforated section.
[0040] If the complementary components comprise a cup and a lid,
when the package is first opened the stack closest to the lowest
portion of the sidewall can have nested cups on the top portion of
the stack and the stack closest to the highest portion of the
sidewall can have the nested lids on the top portion of the stack.
In this arrangement, below the nested cups (which typically have
their bottom surface facing up), there is a nested stack of lids.
Similarly, below the nested portion of lids in the second stack,
there is a nested stack of cups. The top portions and bottom
portions of each stack are evenly matched so that every cup has an
associated i.e., complementary, lid. This described arrangement is
shown herein in FIG. 1. By having the lids in the first stack
arranged in this manner, it has been found to be somewhat easier
for a user to select the lid for use when the lids are used from
the bottom portion of a stack, whether or not the perforated
section is present.
[0041] To facilitate shipping and storage, the stacks are sealed in
the carton by enclosing the arrangement with a film or other
sealing material. While the manner and material for sealing is not
important, it will be recognized that visibility and attractiveness
of the package can be enhanced by using a transparent "shrink-wrap"
to enclose the package.
[0042] Examples of a package incorporating the present invention
and blanks therefor are discussed with reference to the Figures.
Although the package and blanks are described in detail, the
pictured forms are provided for purposes of illustration only and
various modifications are feasible.
[0043] Referring now in more detail to the Figures in which like
reference numerals identify corresponding parts, FIG. 1 is a
perspective view of a form of a packaged product having a carton
that disposes packages and stores at least two complementary
components of an item--here a lidded cup--that are intended to be
used together. In the pictured form, the first complementary
component is a cup and the second complementary component is a lid.
The package 1 includes a carton 3, nested lids 5, 11 and nested
cups 7, 9, and a transparent wrapping 23. The nested lids 5, 11 and
nested cups 7, 9 are nested within each other to provide a first
stack 25 and a second stack 27. The carton comprises a back wall
13, a side wall 15, a front wall 17, an opposing side wall 19, and
a bottom wall 21.
[0044] The back wall 13, side walls 15, 19 and front wall 17 have a
top and bottom, with the bottoms of the back wall 13, side walls
15, 19 and front wall 17 being foldably attached to four edges of
the bottom wall 21. The bottoms of the back wall 13, side walls 15,
19 and front wall 17 are foldably attached to the bottom wall 21 to
the bottom wall 21 so each wall is in a position normal to the
bottom wall. The front and back walls 17, 13 and the side walls 15,
19 are at least substantially parallel with each other,
respectively. The side walls 15, 19 are foldably attached in a
normal position between the back wall 13 and front wall 17. The
sides of the side walls 15, 19 are foldably attached to the sides
of the back wall 13 and front wall 17, respectively. The front wall
17 has a distance between its top and bottom that is from about 30%
to about 60% of the distance between the top and bottom of the back
wall 13 so as to provide the graduated wall structure discussed
previously. The tops 8, 10 of the side walls 15, 19 may extend
diagonally up the top of the front wall 17 to the top of the back
wall 13.
[0045] The nested cups 7, 9 and nested lids 5, 11 are nested in
first stack 25 and second stack 27. In each stack 25, 27, a first
nested lid is stacked on top of a last nested cup. The stacks 25,
27 extend upwardly from the bottom wall 21 of the carton 3, with
the top of the stacks 25, 27 being at least partially exposed in
relation to the top of diagonal side walls 15, 19 to facilitate
visibility and easy removal of the stacks 25, 27. The first stack
25 is placed in an upright position or direction within the carton
3 and adjacent to the back wall 13 of the carton 3. The second
stack 27 is placed in an upside down position or direction between
the first stack 25 of nested lids 5 and nested cups 7 and the front
wall 17 of the carton 3. The back wall 13 has a height that is
approximately as high as the first stack 25. The front wall 17 has
a height that is approximately from 30 to 60% the height of the
back wall 13 or from 50 to 60% the height of the back wall 13.
[0046] The carton 3 can further include a perforated section 29
that is place, for example, at the top corner of the front wall 17
and the side wall 15. The perforated section 29 has been found in
some forms to facilitate dispensing of the first and second
components by better allowing the end user to select the components
when the stacks have been depleted. When the perforated section 29
is intact and when the transparent wrapping 23 is present, the
complementary components packaged within the carton 3 will be
well-contained during shipping and storage. When the perforated
section 29 is removed by the user, the first plurality of lids
nested 5 and the first plurality of nested cups 9 will be available
for simultaneous use. When the first plurality of nested lids 5 and
first plurality of nested cups 9 are exhausted, the second
plurality of nested lids 11 and second plurality of nested cups 7
are presented for use. As pictured, removal of the perforated
section 29 permits a user to have ready access to second plurality
of nested lids 11 which is set lower in carton 3.
[0047] In one form, the perforated section 29 can extend from the
top to approximately half the distance between the top and bottom
of the front wall. It should be appreciated that the perforated
section 29 can extend to the bottom of the front wall 17. The
second plurality of nested lids 11 are placed on the bottom wall 21
adjacent to the perforated section 13 such that the nested lids 11
can be easily dispensed when the perforated section 29 is separated
from the carton 3.
[0048] FIG. 2 is a top view of a form of blank of the carton shown
in FIG. 1. The blank 2 can be erected into the carton 3, as shown
in FIG. 1, that packages, stores, and dispenses the nested cups and
nested lids within the carton. The blank 2 has a width 31 and
length 33. The blank 2 includes a back wall 13, side walls 15, 19,
and front wall 17 having a top, bottom, side, and opposing side.
The bottoms of the back wall 13, side walls 15, 19, and front wall
17 are foldably attached to bottom flaps 35, 37, 41, 39 by fold
lines 43, 45, 49, 47, respectively, that extend in a lengthwise
direction. The bottom flaps 35, 37, 39, 41 forms a bottom wall when
erected into the carton 3. The bottom flaps 35, 37, 38, 41 are
preferably bonded together. The opposing sides of the back wall 13,
side wall 15, front wall 17, and opposing side wall 19 are foldably
attached to the side wall 15, front wall 17, opposing side wall,
and a back wall flap 58 by fold lines 51, 53, 55, 57, respectively,
that extends in a width-wise direction. The perforated section 29
is preferably in a rectangular shape but can further include other
shapes such as triangles, square, hexagon, octagon, etc. The
perforated section 29 includes perforated line 59 and is bisected
by fold line 53. The perforated section 29 extends from the top 8
of the side wall 15 and front wall 17 toward the bottom of the side
wall and front wall.
[0049] FIG. 3 is another perspective view of another form of a
blank of the carton shown in FIG. 1. The blank 4 shown in FIG. 3 is
substantially similar to the blank 2 shown in FIG. 2 and thus
includes back wall, side walls, front wall, and a perforated
section. The bottoms of the back wall 13, side walls 15, 19, and
front wall 17 are foldably attached to bottom flaps 35A, 37A, 41A,
39A by fold lines 43, 45, 49, 47, respectively, that extend in a
lengthwise direction. The bottom flaps 35A, 37A, 39A, 41A interlock
with each other when erected into the carton 3.
[0050] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another form of a packaged
product 42 each having a carton 44 that packages, stores, and
dispenses at least two complementary components intended for
simultaneous use. The carton 44 shown in FIG. 4 is substantially
similar to the carton 3 shown in FIG. 1 and thus includes back wall
13, side walls 15A, 19A, front wall 17A, bottom wall 21, and a
perforated section 29A. The side walls 15A, 19A further include top
lines 14, 20 that extend horizontally from the top 16 of the front
wall 17 towards the back wall 13. The tops 14, 20 extend into
diagonally and substantially straight top lines 12, 18,
respectively, which extend from the top lines 14, 20 to the top of
the back wall 13. The perforated section 29A extends from the top
lines 14, 16 of the side wall 15A and front wall 17 to slightly
more than half the distance between the top 16 and bottom of the
front wall 17.
[0051] FIG. 5 is a top view of a form of a blank of the carton
shown in FIG. 4. The blank 46 can be erected into the carton 44, as
shown in FIG. 4, that packages, stores, and dispenses the cups and
lids within the carton 61. The blank 46 shown in FIG. 5 is
substantially similar to the blank 2 shown in FIG. 2 and thus
includes back wall, side walls, front wall, bottom flaps, and a
perforated section. The side walls 15A, 19A further include top
lines 14, 20 that extend horizontally from top line 16 of the front
wall 17 towards the back wall 13 and the back wall flap 58,
respectively. The top lines 14, 20 of the side walls 15A, 19A
extend into diagonally and substantially straight top lines 12, 18,
respectively, which extend from the top lines 14, 20 to the top of
the back wall 13. The perforated section 29A extends from the top
lines 14, 16 of the side wall 15 and front wall 17 to slightly more
than half the distance between the top lines 14, 16 and fold lines
45, 47 of the side wall 15A and front wall 17, respectively.
[0052] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another form of a packaged
product 48 each having a carton 50 that packages, stores, and
dispenses at least two complementary components of an item intended
for simultaneous use. The carton 50 shown in FIG. 6 is
substantially similar to the carton 42 shown in FIG. 4 and thus
includes back wall 13, side walls 15A, 19B, front wall 17A, bottom
wall 21, and a perforated section 29A. The opposing side wall 19B
further includes top line 26 that extends horizontally from the top
of the back wall 13 to the top of the front wall 17A. The front
wall 17A further include top lines 22, 24, with the top 22
extending diagonally and downwardly in a substantially straight
line from the top 20 of the opposing side wall 19B to the top 24,
which extends horizontally to the top 14 of the side wall 15A.
[0053] FIG. 7 is a top view of a form of a blank of the carton
shown in FIG. 6. The blank 52 can be erected into the carton 50, as
shown in FIG. 6, that packages, stores, and dispenses the cups and
lids within the carton 50. The blank 52 shown in FIG. 7 is
substantially similar to the blank 46 shown in FIG. 5 and thus
includes back wall, side walls, front wall, bottom flaps, and a
perforated section. The opposing side wall 19B further includes top
line 26 that extends horizontally from the top of the back wall
flap 58 to a top line 22 of the front wall 17A. The top line 22
extending diagonally and downwardly in a substantially straight
line from the top line 20 of the opposing side wall 19B to a top
line 24 of the front wall 17A, which extends horizontally to the
top 14 of the side wall 15A.
[0054] FIG. 8 is a top view of a form of a blank of a carton for
packaging, storing, and dispensing the cups and lids when erected
into a carton. The blank 54 shown in FIG. 8 is substantially
similar to the blank 2 shown in FIG. 2 and thus includes back wall,
side walls, front wall, bottom flaps, and a perforated section. The
blank 54 includes side walls 15C, 19C, with each top of the side
walls 15C, 19C having a handle 26, 28, respectively, which enables
a consumer to easily hold the carton when erected from the blank
54. The distance between top lines 36, 38, 40 and lines 43, 47, 42
of the back wall 13C, front wall 17C, and back wall flap 58C is
approximately the same to each other and approximately 50-80% the
distance between top lines 44, 46 and lines 45, 49 of the side
walls 15C, 19C. FIG. 9 is a top view of a form of a blank of a
carton for packaging, storing, and dispensing the cups and lids
when erected into a carton. The blank 56 includes side walls 15D,
19D, with each top of the side walls 15D, 19D having a decorative
design. It would be appreciated that the pictured design can change
if desired.
[0055] It should be emphasized that the above-described forms of
the present invention, particularly, any "preferred" forms, are
merely possible examples of implementations, set forth for a clear
understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations
and modifications may be made to the above-described form(s) of the
invention without departing substantially from the spirit and
principles of the invention. All such modifications and variations
are intended to be included herein within the scope of this
disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following
claims.
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